Remembrancer

Remembrancer, English official who from medieval times compiled memorandum rolls and thus “reminded” the barons of the Exchequer (one of the king’s courts) of business pending. There were at one time three clerks of the remembrance, with distinct duties, but two of the offices were abolished in the early 19th century, and only the office of king’s (or queen’s) remembrancer now survives. The king’s remembrancer originally dealt with the recovery of penalties and debts due to the crown. After 1859 he was required to be a master of the Court of Exchequer, and by the Judicature Act (1873) he was attached to the Supreme Court, after 1879 as a master. Since 1925 the office of king’s remembrancer has been held by the senior master of the Supreme Court (Queen’s Bench Division). The duties include functions connected with the selection of sheriffs, swearing in the lord mayor of London, and the Trial of the Pyx (the annual examination of coins issued by the mint).